Yarn-feed device for knitting-machines.



Patefited May 14, 1912. l 5 annx'rssnn1:'r 1.

g h IF 7 w M A. M. PIGEON.

YARN FEED DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED In 25. 1911 mFmM w g I I 5i i A. M. PIGEON. YARN FEED DEVICE FOR KNITTING MAGfiINES.

APPLICATION I'ILED MAY 25,1911

Patgented May 14, 1912.

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A. PIGBON. YARN FEED DEVICE FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

APLIOATION FILED MAY 25, 1911. 1,026,176. I Patented May 14,1912.

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' A. M. PIGEON. YARN FEED DEVICE FOR KNITTING MAGHI NBS.

Ar'rmunron nun HAY 25, 1911.

Patented May 14, 1912.

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. A. M PIGEON. YARN FEED DEVICE FOR'KNITTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1911,

5 SHEETSSHEET 5,

Patented May 14, 1912.

" front of the .i n front UNITED I srirrns PATEN'I QFFICE.

ALBERT M. PIGEON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

YARN-FEED DEVICE FOR KNITTING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 25, 1911.

To U uwtomit may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT M. PicnoN, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and 5* e of Pennsylvania, have invented cert: new and useful Improvements in YnrrrFe cd Y'Devices tor Knitting-Mm chines, whereof the .lollowing is a specifica tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to knitting machines employing independently movable needles provided with butts adapted to be engaged by suitable devices for controlling the needles during the knitting operation, and for rendering certain of said needles idle, whereby said needles may perform the operation of tubular knitting with capacity for the insert-ion of heel and toe pockets as usually practiced in stocking knitters.

The invention more specially relates to a machine of the type shown and described in my prior Patent No. 943,230, granted December 14th, 1909. in this patent is shown a circular knitting machine ein 'iloying spring beard needles, wlnch are controlled for encular knittin or rcciprocatory knitting and more cspecia ly for use as a stocking knitter. Certain of the needles are formed with long butts, whereby the same may be thrown out of action during the knitting of the heel and toe pockets. Also means are provided for controlling the active series of needles for narrowing and widening during the knittin of the heel and toe pockets. A yarn fee ing device is provided which lays the yarn of notched sinkers, which operate in the usual manner in connection with this {type of machine? 'Means are also disclosed the patent for moving the yarn feeding device away from the needles and sinkers, so as to prevent the laying of thefyarn in sinkers, cooperating with the idle needles this yarn ,feeding device is controlled by t- 1e upper ends of the needles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a more durable and efl icient device for controlling the yarn feed.

To this end the invention consists enerally in devices which are acted upon y the butts of the needles which are rendered idle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding device for guiding the reinforcing yarn, which feeding device may be automatically controlled so as to render the same effective or ineffective at proper intei vals.

Patented May 14, 1912. Serial No. 62: ,259.

, The invention further consists in I eral simplifying ments, and the devices for controlling the seine, whereby such controlling devices may, so far as possible, be placed beneath the supporting frame adjacent to the upper end of the needle cylinder, and whereby said controlling devices may be rendered durable, and etlicient in performing the functions for which they are designed.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully described. v

In the drawings which show by way of illustration, one embodiment of the invention, Figure I. is a plan view of the upper portion of a knitting machine embodying my improvements. Fig. II, is a side elevation of the same. Fig. III, is a sectional View on the line III, III, of Fig. I. Fig. IV, is a plan View showing the control 01 l the genthe yarn feed by the needle butts. Fig. V, is a detail vertical section through the needle cylinder showin the yarn feed in side elevation. Fig. V is a perspective view of the controlling cam for the yarn feed. Fig. VII, is a detail showing the yarn feed in operative position, and the reinforcing yarn guide in inoperative position with respect to the yarn feed. Fig. VIII, is a similar view showing the reinforcing yarn in operative position with respect to the yarn feed. Fig. IX, is a similar view showing the yarn feed moved away from the needles, to withdraw the yarns from in front (If the sinkers cooperating with the idle needles.

The machine shown in part in the several figures of the drawings, comprises a frame 1, having supporting devices fora needle cylinder 2, which may be of the usual construction, and, as hereinafter illustrated, said needle cylinder is rotated relative to .the yarn feed and the controlling cams by a. gear 3, which may be connected to any suitable driving means. This needle cylinder may not only be rotated for circular knitting, but may be also oscillated or reciprocated for forming toe and heel pockets in any well known manner.

M0unted within the needle grooves or channels in the needle cylinder are jacks 4, which are formed with butts 5, for controlling the needles 6, \which are attached to the acks. It is obvious that from certain Laspects of the invention, these butts ma of the yarn feeding elewith short butts,

1o vals by depressing devices is a sinker,

moved toward and from the needles,

tends to throw the rod 15,

any

9 ing finger 35,

be formed directly in the needles if desired. The needles are preferably arranged in two complementary series, one of which may be formed with long but-ts and the other so that during the knitting of the heel and toe pockets, the long butt needles may be rendered idle. The needles as herein shown are formed with springbeards 7, which are closed at proper inter- 8, which are operated in proper timing to the rotation of the cylinder through" suitable cams 9. The yarn for feeding the needles is led through a yarn feed 10. Associated with each needle 11, which, as herein shown, is formed with the thread receiving notch 12, and the notch 13, which may operate to depress or hold the web down, on the shanks of the needles. The sinkers 11, may be by any well known devices.

The cams for operating the needles and the depressing members, and also the sink ers may be of the construction shown in the 25 patent above referred to, and will not need further description 1n this connection.

The yarn feed 10, is mounted in a sleeve 14, carried by the outer end of a rod 15, loosely pivoted on the bar 16. A spring 30 17, surrounds the bar 16, and at one end is secured to a collar 18,.rigidly attached to the rod 16. The other end of the spring 17, engages a screw 19, attached to the shank carrying the rod 15. This spring normally downward. The downward movement of the rod is limited by the plate 20, (see Fig. II) secured to the supporting ring at the upper end of the needle cylinder. The yarn feed may be of desired construction, but, as herein shown, is formed of a wire bent into a loop 21, from which said wire projects to form a supporting or threading finger 22.

The bar 16, carrying the yarn feed is mounted in brackets 25, secured to the frame 1 of the machine. This bar is mounted to rotate in said brackets and is held in various adjusted positions by a flat spring 26,whieh engages a V-shaped cam shoulder 27,

formed on the collar 28, attached to the bar 16. The collar 28, is also formed with two stop lugs 29, which limit the oscillating movement of the bar 16, in the supporting bracket. -Also mounted on the bar 16, is

an upwardly projecting bracket 30, which carries an arm 31, which in turn supports a plate 32, having eyes 33, for the yarn, which is led to the yarn feed 10. The plate 32, is also formed with a laterally project- Fig. VII which extends underneath the rod 15, so that when the bar 16, is moved about its pivot the rod 15, will be moved with the arm 31, and thus carry the yarn feed entirely away from the needle cylinder;

WVhen the needle cylinder is reciprocated for forming the heel and toe pockets, it is desirable to move the yarn feed away from the needles so as to withdraw the yarn from in front of the sinkers, co6perating with the idle needles. m prior patent, devices have been provi ed or accomplishing this withdrawal of the yarn feed at the time stated, and these devices are operated from the shanks of the needles. In the pres-' ent construction, I have provided means for withdrawing the yarn feed from the nee dles, which is controlled and operated from the butts of the idle needles. These devices consist generally in a vertical shaft 40, which carries a cam plate 41, at its upper end. The vertical shaft 40, is mounted'to oscillate in a suitable bracket 42, carried by the frame 1. The cam plate 41, is formed with a central V- haped notch 45. When the rod 15, is directed over the V-shaped notch, the spring 17 may throw the rod to 1 its normal yarn feeding position. An oscillation of the shaft 40, in either direction will bring one of the inclined pieces of the V-shaped notch into engagement with the rod 15, and swing the same about the bar 16, compressing the spring 17. This move ment of the rod 15, is sufficient to withdraw the yarn feed away from the needles and away from in front of the sinkers, so that as the sinkers move engage the yarn. The vertical shaft 40, is formed with a rigid arm 50, at its lower end. A sliding finger 51, is mounted on said arm, and is. formed with a slot 52, through which the shaft 40, extends. This finger 51, is connected to the arm 50, so that said finger 51, may move radially relative to the axis of the shaft 40, but all angular movements of the finger 51, will impart a rotary movement to the'shaft 40. The finger 51, at its forward end is formed with. op-

positely inclined surfaces 53, forming a V- shaped nose. The engagement of the finger 51, by the butts of the needles will swing the finger 51, one way, or the other, depending upon the'direction of reciprocation of the needle cylinder. The swinging of the finger 51, will oscillate shaft 40, and through the cam plate 41, will raise the rod 15, car rying the yarn feed.

The finger 51, is provided at its top with a cam piece 57, which is adapted to engage the edge of the bracket 42; This engagement is effected by the action of a spring 55, which is secured to the bed plate 1. The free end of spring 55, is received within the aperture 56, at the rear of finger 51, and thereby exerts a rearward pull upon the latter, so that its cam piece 57, is at all times forward, they will not I maintained in contact with the straight edge of the bracket 42.

When in its normal position, the finger 51, is maintained'in a radial line with respect butts of the idle needles during the knitting i j'ecting of the heel and toe of the stoc ng, the proortions of the cam piece 57, in riding a ongthe edge of the bracket 42, become efiective in distending the said finger toward the needle cylinder. This causes the end of the finger 51, to move in a ractically straight line parallel to the e ge of bracket 42. This distending of the finger 51,

and the strai ht path of 1ts end, prolongs the needle cylinder,

the period 0 I engagement with the needle butts and thereby magnifies the motion of the rock shaft 40. A spring 58, is attached to the bracket 42, and bears against one side of the finger 51, and normally tends to return the same to the central position. A sprin 59, is located on the 0 p'osite side of the nger and returns said finger to central position when moved in the opposite direction.

In the operation of the above parts, the yarn feed is held in the normalpos tion relative to the needles during the circular knitting. At this time, the butts of the needles are lowered as all the needles are in action, and therefore the finger 51, is in its central position which allows the yarn feed to remain in normal posit-ion. When the pattern mechanism controls the parts for operating so as to cause the same to reciprocate and'also throw out of action the long butt needles, said long butt needles will be moved or raised into the path of the finger 51, so that as the cylinder is oscillated the butts of these needles will engage the V-shaped end 53, of the finger 51, and move the same in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction of movement of the needle cylinder, and in whichever direction said finger 51, is moved the yarn feed willbe raised from the needles withdrawing the yarns from the path of the sinkers which coiiperate with the idle needles. When the fashioning cams are drawn into action, so as to throw out certain of the active needles, one after the other, for narrowing the heel or toe pockets, the butts of the needles as they are rendered idle, one by one, will be moved into the path of the finger 51, and

will engage said finger at an earlier period in the oscillation of the needle cylinder and cause the yarn feed to be moved from each needle which is idle and the sinker coiipcrating therewith. When the fashioning cams are again brought into such position as to throw the needles into action, to widen the heel and toe pockets, the butts of the needles drawn into action will be removed from the ath of the finger 51, and a ain said yarn eed will be properly controlle so as to feed a yarn to all the active needles and sinkers cooperating therewith, and will also be so controlled as to move away from the idle needles and sinkers coiiperating therewith, so as to prevent the yarn from being carried about the shanks of the needles which are rendered idle by the sinkers which co-act therewith. By the aboveconstruction, it will be apparent that the yarn controlling devices are located substantially beneath the ring at the upper end of the needle 0 linder, which gives free access 30 to the yarn feed and the parts adjacent there-. to. Furthermore, by this positioning of the controlling devices for the yarn feed, I am able to enlarge the parts thereof, so as to make the same much more durable and efficient in action. Then again, by the present devices wherein the butts of the needles engage and operate the controlling devices, all liability of springing the outer or free ends of the needles'as in my patented construc tion, is avoided. When knitting the heel and toe pockets, above referred to, it is often desirable to introduce a reinforcing yarn. As a means'for' feeding such reinforcing yarn, I have pro-' 96 vided a yarn guiding device 60. Said yarn guiding device, as herein shown, is tubular in form,;and is carried by the outer end of 1 an arm 61, which arm slides through a guiding opening 62, in a plate carried at the I00" outerend of the bracket arm 31. The outer end of the arm 61, is inclined outwardly as at 63, so that as the arm 61, is moved back and forth i the opening in the supporting plate therefor,

will .not only \be moved away from the needle cylinder, I d the yarn guide 10, but

will be raised a ve the needle cylinder.

The inner end of t); arm 61, is carried by a post 65, which isounted on a slide 66,

slotted to engage .the bar 16. A s ring 67, i

engages the post65, at on end, and engages an adjustable arm 63, at its\other end. This spring normall throws the slide 66 to the right as'viewe in Fig. II, and draws the yarn guides 60, into normal opera-tive'posi- A lever 70, is pivotedto one of t e brackets 25, of the machine, and at its u er end gage e rear is deflected laterally so as to en end of the slide 66. By swinging th lever 70, about its fulcrum, the slide 66, m be forced inward toward the needle cylinder against the tension of the spring 67, and the-f yarn guide 60, thus sition. Said lever 70, may be swung abou its fulcrum through the action of a rod 71x which may be controlled by any suitable pattern mechanism. When they'arn guide 60; with the reinforcing yarn is moved to the tubular yarn guide 60,

moved to inoperative pof "ing finger 22, (see Figs.

erative position, from the guiding loop 21, and thus the reinforcing yarn guide 60, will be rendered ineffective. Additional yarn guides may be provided if desired. These guides would all cooperate with the one guide loop 21, of the.

main yarn feed. v

It is obvious that minor changes'in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts of the yarn feeding and controlling devices may be made, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims. .v 1

Having thus described my invention, I

claim: .7

1. Ina knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts, and having the capacity of being thrown to idle position; a yarn feeding device; and means cooperating with for moving the yarn feeding device away from said idle needles.

2. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series-of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and having the capacity of being-thrown into idle posi tion; sinkers having yarn engaglng portions and cooperating with each needle; a yarn feeding device; and means for cooperating with the butts of the idle needles for moving the yarn feeding device away frornsaid idle needlesand the sinkers cooperating there-. with.

3. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles means for provided with operating butts, moving certain'fgf said needles to a .diflt'erent level to rende'nthe same idle; a yarn feeding; device; and means cooperating with f'the I for moving the yarn the idle needles.

butts of the idle needles feeding device away from 4. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movableineedles provided with operating but-ts, means for moving'certain of said needles to a different level to render the same ,idle; sinkers 00- operating with each needle; a yarn feeding device; and means feeding device away from said idle needles and the 'sinkcrs cooperating therewith. V

5. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of two complementary series of needles; means for positioning one series of needles at a differentlevel from the other series of,,needles; said needles being movable independently and provided with opcrating butts; a yarn feeding device; and

\Vhen the. reinforcing yarn guide is moved to inop; the yarn will be withdrawn'l feed; a spring for, yarn feed operative position relative to said needle; and devices controlled by the i the butts of the idle needlesfor moving the yarn means cooperating with the butts of the lneedles of one of the series for drawing the yarn feeding device away from the needles in said series. a i

6. In a circular knitting machine, the combination-of two complementary series of needles,

ef needles at a series of needles, movable independently and provided with operating butts; a sinker cooperating with each needle; a yarn feeding device; and means cooperating with the butts of the needles of one series for moving the yarn feeding device away from said needles and the sinkers cooperating therewith.

7. A knitting machine including incombination a series'of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a yarn feed; [an arm supporting said yarn normally holding said butts of the idle needles for moving the yarn feed away from the ,idle needles.

In a circular- 'knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts, and" capable of being moved to idle positiom' ajyarn feed; a spring normally holdii fgfthef arn feed in operative position relativetoflte needles; a cam plate for engagingthe yarn feed for moving the same away from the needl'es a shaft carrying said cam plate; and a finger carried by said shaft and engaging the butts of the idle needles for oscillating the shaft. to move the yarn feed awayfronnthe idle needles]! 9. In .the circul'anknitting' machine, the combination movable butts, andcapableof b'einglmoved to idle po- 1 v, eedlesgashaft carrying saidfeam p "engaging the hilt/13S of the 'idld needlespfor oscillating the shaft to move the ya rn feed away from the idle needles;- and ,meansfor distending the said finger to magni "movement ofthe same.. i

combination of a se'ries (if-independently butts, andcapable.ofbeing*moved to idle feed; a spring normally holding the yarn feedliin operative position relative to the needles; "a camvpl'a'te for ens gaging the yarn feed' 'for movlng thesame away from the needles; said cam plate;.a finger carried'by sald shaft and engaging, the butts of theidle position; a yarn itimi-feye feed; a p me normally hold-a ing t arn feed' in operative position relat ve eedles, a cam plate for engage a finger carried ,by said shafttjf'nnd fy the v l '10. In. a circular knittinginachineg the means for positioning oneseries difierent level. from the other each of said needles being of a series of independently needles provided with operating a shaft carryingneedles for oscillating the shaft to move the yarn feed away from the idle needles; means for extending the said finger; and springs for moving said finger to normal central position.

11. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a. yarn feed; a spring for normally holding the yarn feed in operative position relative to the needles; a cam plate for engaging the yarn feed for raising and lowering the same; a vertical shaft on which said cam plate is mounted; a finger carried at the lower end of said shaft and movable radially relative thereto, said finger having a V- shaped outer end adapted to engage the butts of the idle needles.

12. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a yarn feed; a spring for normally holding the yarn feed in operative position relative to the needles; a cam plate for engaging the yarn feed for raising and lowering the same; a vertical shaft on which said cam plate is mounted; a bracket for supporting the said shaft; a finger carried by the lower end of said shaft and movable radially thereto; said finger having a V-shaped outer end 'adapted to engage the butts of the idle needles; a cam piece carried by the said finger and adapted to engage the bracket for supporting the said vertical shaft to extend the said finger and thereby prolong the period of engagement of the said finger with the idle needle butts; and a spring for maintaining the engagement between the said cam piece and said supporting bracket.

13. In a knitting machine, the combina tion of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a yarn feed; a spring for normally holding the yarn feed in operative position relative to the needles: a cam plate for engaging the yarn feed for raising and lowering the same; a vertical shaft on which said cam plate is mounted; a bracket for supporting the said shaft; a finger carried by the lower end of said shaft and movable radially needles; a cam plece carried by the said finger and adapted to engage the bracket for supporting the said vertical shaft to extend the said finger and thereby prolong the period of engagement of the said finger with the idle needle butts; and a spring for maintaining the engagement between the said cam piece and said supporting bracket; and springs for normally returning said plate to central position.

14. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a yarn feeding device; a reinforcing yarn guiding device; said yarn feeding device including means for guiding the reinforcing yarns; means for moving said reinforcing yarn guiding device from inoperative to operative position; and a device for moving said yarn feeding device with the reinforcing yarn away from the idle needles.

15. In a knitting machine, the combina tion of a series of independently movable needles provided with operating butts and capable of being moved to idle position; a yarn feeding device; a reinforcing yarn guiding device; means for moving said re inforcing yarn guiding device from inoperative to operative position; and means for moving said yarn feeding device away from the idle needles, said means including devices engaging the butts of the idle needles.

16. In a knitting machine, the combination of a series of needles; a yarn feed; a rod supporting said yarn feed; a bar carry-- ing said rod; brackets in which said bar is pivotally supported; a collar attached to said bar; stops carried by said collar and engaging said bracket for limiting the movement of the bar; a cam carried by the collar; and a spring cooperating with said cam for holding the yarn feed in operative and in inoperative positions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this eighth day of May 1911.

ALBERT M. PIGEON.

\Vit-nesses JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

